Miniature ball bearings are small bearings with balls as the rolling element. They can be made from steel, stainless steel, brass, phosphor bronze, and aluminum. Many manufacturers have standard ball sizes, but can also customize sizes to meet specific customer needs. These balls can also be demagnetized or polished.

Miniature ball bearings are a popular choice for light-duty instrumentation. They are available in sealed, shielded, and open configurations. BL is one of the companies that excels at custom miniature bearings. It offers ball bearings made from AISI 440C stainless steel and 52100 steel. It also offers customized bearings with bores as small as a millimeter. Check out its free online catalog for more information.

Miniature ball bearings require proper lubrication for optimal performance and longevity. A variety of specialty and common lubricants are available. These lubricants provide a sealing barrier against contamination and lubricate sliding contacts between bearing components. Some specialty lubricants also have properties that carry away heat, which is important for the operation of a miniature ball bearing.

BDS can source the bearings you need from a global supplier. With expert services, BDS can source a bearing to match your specifications. In addition, it can assist you with any questions you might have about your custom bearing order. This way, you won't have to worry about the quality of your bearings.

Bearings can be divided into two main categories: linear and rotary. Each classification is based on the motion they're designed for. Linear miniature bearings are designed for pushing and pulling motions, while rotary bearings move in a radial direction. Rotary bearings are used in bicycles and other machines where they need to move in a circular motion.

Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for ball bearings. This material has low noise and high load capacity. However, miniature/instrument bearings are usually not used in high-load applications. Stainless steel is a popular choice because it offers a high strength to wear ratio, which is important for efficient operation.

ABEC 1 miniature and instrument bearings are manufactured to meet ABMA Standard 20 tolerances. These bearings are made to withstand high torque while providing precision performance. They also have radial and axial play. This information should be taken into account during the initial design phase. They are a standard in the industry.